Method for manufacturing inflatable footwear or bladders for use in inflatable articles

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a method for manufacturing inflatable articles, or bladders for inflatable articles, that is time-efficient, simple, inexpensive and permits the uninterrupted manufacture of numerous and even customized article or bladder configurations and sizes, without expensive configuration-specific, metal tooling. The method includes the steps of applying a barrier material to a side of a first film, providing a second film with the first film so that the barrier material is disposed between the first and second films, adhering the first film to the second film so that the films are sealed together in areas except where the barrier material has been applied to form at least one inflatable compartment and sealed peripheral edge, and cutting along the sealed peripheral edge to form an inflatable article or bladder for use in an article of manufacture. The barrier material may be a paint, ink, paper or surface treatment that effectively prevents the first film from adhering to the second. The inflatable article or bladder of the present invention may be used as or in athletic equipment, for example, including footwear.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/624,232, filed Nov. 23, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,540,838, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/171,475, filed Jul. 1,2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,622,014, the disclosures of which areincorporated herein in their entireties by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing inflatablearticles or fluid-impervious bladders for use in inflatable articles,such as footwear or apparel.

Background Art

Inflatable articles of manufacture or bladders for use in inflatablearticles of manufacture have been known for decades. Such articles ofmanufacture include inflatable air mattresses and pillows, inflatablelife preservers and rafts, and athletic equipment. In the field ofathletic equipment, inflatable bladders have been incorporated in theinterior of balls (e.g., basketballs, footballs, soccer balls, etc.), aswell as in articles of protective apparel such as baseball and boxinggloves, helmets, chest protectors and footwear. When utilized infootwear, an inflatable bladder may be used to provide customizedcushioning to the wearer's foot and to enhance fit. In some instances,an inflatable bladder may take the place of a lacing system to securethe shoe to the foot of the wearer. Inflatable bladders may also be usedin the sole of a shoe to provide cushioning to the bottom of thewearer's foot and to absorb impact forces from walking, running andjumping.

U.S. application Ser. No. 10/887,927 filed on Jul. 12, 2004 (andpublished as U.S. Published Patent Application No 20050028404-A1 on Feb.10, 2005) discloses a Shoe Having an Inflatable Bladder. Applicantsincorporate the entire disclosure of this application, herein, byreference.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,113,599 to Cohen et al. (the '599 patent) discloses anathletic shoe having an inflatable bladder. This patent discloses avariety of inflatable bladder configurations for use in the tongue,lateral and medial shoe sides, around the ankles, beneath the foot or inthe entirety of the shoe. The bladder of the patent is formed from afirst thermoplastic urethane (TPU) film and a co-extensive second TPUfilm. The first and second films are attached to each other alongpre-defined weld or pattern lines. A peripheral weld line of the bladdercreates a sealed bladder compartment or chamber and prevents air fromescaping therefrom. The first and second films are further attached toeach other at a number of circular points or interior weld lines tocontrol the thickness of the bladder to prevent undesired “bulging”,which could cause discomfort to the wearer or inhibit proper fit.

The first and second films of the bladder of the '599 patent are weldedtogether using radio frequency (RF) or dielectric welding. RF ordielectric welding uses high frequency radio energy to agitate themolecules of thermoplastic materials to a point where they melt and weldtogether to form a strong bond. To weld the bladder of the '599 patent,the coextensive films are placed between a brass die (having raisedareas representing the desired peripheral, circular and interior weldlines) and a platten on an RF machine. After bringing the brass die andRF platten into contact with each other, the RF machine is activated andthe first and second films are bonded to each other only at the raisedareas on the brass die to form the peripheral, circular and interiorweld lines. Upon completion of the welding step, the inflatable bladderis die-cut from the remainder of the coextensive first and second filmsand assembled into the shoe as appropriate by adhesives, conventionalstitching or other fastening means. The first and second films of the'599 patent may also be adhered to each other by conventionally heatedand appropriately patterned brass dies or by application of chemicaladhesives or bonding agents suitable for use with thermoplastic films.

The patent further discloses inflation of the bladder by a pumppermanently affixed to the bladder using the RF welding techniquedescribed above or any other sealing method appropriate for use with thefilms thereof. Alternatively, the bladder may be inflated by anoff-board pump connectable to an inflation/deflation valve, also affixedto the bladder in a location easily accessed by the wearer. Other pumpsand valves, suitable for use with inflatable bladders for footwear, aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,074,765 and 5,144,708.

While manufacture of an inflatable bladder using RF welding requires noadhesives or additional materials, and has the advantages of precisepatterning, decreased heat-degradation in areas of the film adjacent toweld lines and strength of seal, it is costly and time consuming tomachine or chemically etch the brass dies for the inflatable bladderpatterns, particularly where an article of manufacture is produced in alarge range of sizes and in multiple configurations. Conventionallyheated brass dies are also expensive to form, while chemical adhesion ismessy and requires cure time in controlled environments. In addition, RFwelding techniques are extremely sensitive and require that the films besufficiently thick to prevent excessive melting of the film, therebycausing a breach of the bladder.

Thus, it is desirable to provide a method for manufacturing inflatablearticles or bladders for use in inflatable articles which is relativelyinexpensive, time efficient and allows for the manufacture of a varietyof bladder configurations and sizes, utilizing a process and materialsresulting in little to no interruption or delay in the manufacturingprocess.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The manufacturing method of the present invention is advantageous overthose known in the art, in that it is simpler, essentially continuous innature, easily modified to permit manufacture of a variety of inflatablearticle or bladder configurations, and more economical by avoiding theneed for expensive configuration-specific, brass-machined tooling.

One embodiment of the present invention is a method for manufacturing aninflatable article of footwear, comprising the steps of providing afirst film; applying a barrier material to a first side of the firstfilm in a bladder configuration; providing a second film, such that thebarrier material is disposed between the first film and the second film;adhering the first film to the second film to form a sealed peripheralarea, except in the area where the barrier material has been applied, tothe first film, to form at least one inflatable chamber; cutting alongthe sealed peripheral area to form a bladder having at least oneinflatable compartment and a sealed peripheral edge; and incorporatingthe bladder into the article of footwear to form an inflatable articleof footwear. The barrier material may be a paint, ink, paper, textile,photosensitive agent, particulate or acid. The barrier material may alsobe an embossed or textured surface on either film.

The method further comprises the step of forming a screen, template orstencil of a negative image of the bladder configuration and using thescreen, template or stencil to apply the barrier material to the firstfilm in the bladder configuration.

In another embodiment, the present invention is a method formanufacturing an inflatable bladder, comprising the steps of providing afirst film having a first side and a second side; applying a barriermaterial to the first side of the first film; providing a second film tothe first side of the first film, such that the barrier material isdisposed between the first film and the second film; adhering the firstfilm to the second film to form a sealed peripheral area, except in thearea where the barrier film has been applied to the first side of thefirst film, to form at least one inflatable compartment corresponding inoverall shape to a bladder configuration; and cutting along the sealedperipheral area to form a bladder having at least one inflatablecompartment and a sealed peripheral edge.

The cutting step may be accomplished by a laser, water jet or metal die.The barrier material may be a paint, ink, paper, textile, particulate,photosensitive agent or acid. The barrier material may be printed on thefirst side of the first film.

The first or second film may be a laminate of a thermoplastic filmaffixed to a substrate. The bladder may comprise an elongated area forreceiving a fitment for an inflation or deflation valve.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention is a method formanufacturing a customized inflatable article of manufacture, comprisingthe steps of providing a database, wherein said database comprises atleast one information record for at least one customized bladder design;providing a first film; applying a barrier material to a first side ofthe first film in accordance with the at least one information record toform at least one customized bladder design on the first film; providinga second film with the first film, such that the barrier material isdisposed between the first film and the second film; adhering the firstfilm to the second film to form a sealed peripheral area, except in thearea where the barrier material has been applied to the first film, toform at least one inflatable compartment corresponding in overall shapeto the customized bladder design; and cutting along the sealedperipheral area to form a bladder having the at least one inflatablecompartment and a sealed peripheral area.

The barrier material may be printed on the first film by a smart printer(using either a digital printer or other known printing technology)connected to the database. The cutting step may be performed by a laserprinter also connected to the database. The information record maycontain information on the customer's color preferences and footanatomy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a partof the specification, illustrate the present invention and, togetherwith the description, further serve to explain the principles thepresent invention and to enable a person skilled in the relevant art topractice the same.

FIG. 1 is a depiction of the steps of the method of the presentinvention for manufacturing inflatable articles or bladders for use ininflatable articles;

FIG. 2 is a negative image of an inflatable bladder design orconfiguration as formed on a printing screen;

FIG. 3 is a depiction of the step of applying a barrier material to afirst film of the method using the printing screen of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a depiction of the transferred barrier material positionedbetween the first and second films of the method;

FIG. 5 is a depiction of the first and second films of the method assealed together;

FIG. 6 is a depiction of an inflatable article or bladder made inaccordance with the method of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a depiction of an alternate embodiment of the step forapplying a barrier material to a first film;

FIG. 8A is an exploded depiction of how to provide a fitment; and

FIG. 8B is a depiction of the fitment as adhered to first and secondfilms.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is desirable for inflatable articles of manufacture or bladders to bedurable, as well as quick, easy and inexpensive to manufacture. Thepresent invention seeks to reduce the cost and time typically associatedwith the manufacture of inflatable articles or bladders for use ininflatable articles of manufacture, by simplifying the manufacturingprocess and avoiding the need for brass tooling, which can be expensiveand time-consuming to machine or form, as well as to change-out, topermit the manufacture of inflatable articles or bladders havingnumerous sizes and configurations.

While conventional bladder manufacturing methods rely on tooling,specific to the configuration of the bladder to weld or seal two or morefilms together to form inflatable areas or compartments, the method ofthe present invention employs a barrier material applied to one of thefilms (or both of the films in mirror image), in accordance with apre-defined or customized pattern, to prevent the films from adheringtogether to create inflatable areas or compartments, when heat and/orpressure are applied thereto. The barrier material can be easily appliedto either of the films, in various configurations, to permit manufactureof an inflatable article or bladder inexpensively, quickly, essentiallycontinuously and with a high degree of manufacturing flexibility.

As shown in FIG. 1, the method of the present invention generallycomprises the steps of (1) providing a first film, which for mostapplications will be impervious to the fluid used to inflate the bladderor inflatable article of manufacture (2) applying a barrier material toa first side of the first film, (3) providing a second film with thefirst film such that the barrier material is disposed between the firstfilm and the second film, (4) adhering the first film to the second filmto form a sealed peripheral area, except in the area where the barriermaterial has been applied, to form at least one inflatable compartment,and (5) cutting along the sealed peripheral area to form an inflatablearticle or inflatable bladder having a sealed peripheral edge for use inan article of manufacture. It is also envisioned that the barriermaterial could be applied to the second film or to the facing sides ofboth films in mirror image. Alternatively, the barrier material couldtake the form of a separate material (or third film) simply positionedbetween the first and second films.

Turning now to the steps of the method, first and second films may beidentical or different materials provided that they are each made from athermoplastic material that may be adhered together to form afluid-tight seal. Films can be formed from a variety of thermoplasticresins or other elastomeric materials, including but not limited to,thermal polyurethane (TPU), ethylenevinylacetate/polyethylene copolymer,polyester elastomer (e.g. Hytrel® material available from DuPont),polyethylene, polypropylene, neoprene, natural rubber, dacron/polyester,polyvinylchloride, thermoplastic rubbers, nitrile rubber, butyl rubber,sulfide rubber, methyl rubber, silicone rubber, polyvinyl acetate, bunaN., buna S., polystyrene, ethylene propylene, polybutadiene,chlorfulfonated polythylene, nylon and others. One particular example ofa suitable class of TPU film for the method of the present invention isa polyester urethane film available from JP Stevens under product no.ST1880. This film class has a Shore A hardness of 88-92 and aformulation having a base resin of Pellethane® (available from DowChemical), Estane® (available from Noveon) or Elastollan® (availablefrom BASF). One skilled in the art can appreciate that any number ofthermoplastic or elastomeric materials are suitable for use in thepresent invention, provided such materials are flexible and capable offorming a fluid-tight seal with another material having the samecharacteristics. It is further envisioned that sheet films employed inthe food packaging arts, and other materials such as Mylar, could takeadvantage of the manufacturing method of the present invention.

Moreover, while the method of FIG. 1 has been described as providing afirst and second “film”, such film need not be a single ply of material.Indeed, either or both of the first and second films may be a laminateof a thermoplastic layer and a substrate applied to only one side of thethermoplastic layer (permitting the opposite side of the thermoplasticlayer to be sealed to the second film (or laminate)). Substrates may beany of a variety of textiles, for example, any synthetic or naturalfiber or fabric. One non-limiting example of a fabric used as a laminateof an inflatable bladder for footwear is a non-woven, high-density 70%nylon and 30% polyester blend, available from Dae Woo InternationalCorporation (Pusan, Korea). Several methods have been developed to formlaminates between thermoplastic layers and substrates. One such methodincludes direct cast extrusion of a thermoplastic resin onto a substrateto form a thin layer thereon. Provided that the substrate is at leastpartially porous, the thermoplastic resin will penetrate the pores ofthe substrate and bond thereto. Other laminate forming methods known tothose skilled in the art would also be suitable for forming a laminatefor use as the films of the present invention. For example, a laminatemay be formed from a thermoplastic layer and a substrate by adhering thethermoplastic layer to the substrate by application of heat andpressure, an adhesive or bonding agent, or by ultrasonic bonding.Further, the laminate may include more than one thermoplastic layer, aswell as more than one layer of substrate, provided that at least onethermoplastic layer is able to be sealed to another thermoplastic layer,to form at least one compartment of the inflatable bladder.

Turning now to Step 2 of the method set forth in FIG. 1, a barriermaterial is applied to a first side of the first film. The barriermaterial may be any material or treatment that prevents the first filmfrom adhering to the second film of the invention upon application ofheat and/or pressure. More particularly, the barrier material may be apaint, ink, TEFLON® coating, silicone coating, particulate or surfacetreatment that maintains the integrity of the thermoplastic layer of thefirst and second films, but still prevents the films from adhering toeach other where the barrier material or treatment has been applied.

Where the barrier material is a paint, for example, the paint could beapplied to the first film in accordance with Step 2 of the method in amanner similar to silk-screening. Silk-screening (or screen printing) isa long-used process for economically mass producing signage, prints andfabric designs, etc. The basic idea in silk-screening is to create amaster screen through which paint (or other suitable media) passes toimpart a design or imprint on a large number of duplicates. Generally, adrawing or tracing of a design is transferred by means of a photoprocess to a thin, fine grain photo sensitive gel coated cloth (or“silk”), which is tightly stretched over a frame. When the gel isexposed, the part of the gel that is exposed to light hardens or cures,while the unexposed part remains soft. After curing, the soft gel iswashed away, leaving, a “negative” image of the design on the silk. Thesilk is open-celled (like a screen), so that the paint or other mediacan pass therethrough.

The framed silk is placed against the object upon which the design is tobe imparted. Paint is then applied thereto and pulled across the silkwith a squeegee or similar device to transfer the design through thesilk to the object below. Where a design having multiple colors isdesired, a separate screen must be prepared for each color (similar tothe color separation process in conventional ink-printing methods). Withthe silk-screening method, thousands of “prints” can be made from asingle silk. More recently, the printing screens are formed frommonofilament materials such as polyester, rather than silk.

By applying the silk-screening technique described above to the methodof the present invention, a variety of bladder configurations and sizescan be “printed” on or imparted to the first film of Step 1 to functionas the barrier material of the present invention. For example, FIG. 2illustrates a negative image of an inflatable bladder design orconfiguration 20 as formed on a printing silk or screen 24. Where thescreen or silk is visible in area 22 is where the paint, ink of othermedia will be transferred through the screen and onto the first film ofStep 1. Bladder design or configuration 20 comprises a circular element26 and linear elements 28, which prevent transfer of the paint, ink orother media onto the first film. When the first and second films areadhered together (in Step 3 of the method discussed below), the firstand second films will adhere to each other at circular element 26 andlinear elements 28 to form the equivalent of the circular welds and weldlines of the prior art described above, to control the thickness andinflation of the bladder and, with respect to apparel or footwear, toaccommodate the anatomy of the human body. Negative image 20 of theinflatable bladder design or configuration also includes a visible areaof screen 30, which extends from the edge of the screen into area 22.Area 30 is conduit-like in shape and is intended to form a passage forreceiving an inlet or outlet valve or other fitting to permit fluid tobe introduced into and/or released from the inflatable article orbladder of the invention. While area 30 is shown as being conduit-shapedin FIG. 2, it should be understood by those in the art that area 30 maytake any shape necessary to accommodate the fittings needed to inflateor deflate the inflatable article of manufacture or bladder.

It should also be realized by those skilled in the relevant art thatwhile a particular negative bladder design or configuration has beenillustrated in FIG. 2, the negative design of the bladder (and thus, thebladder ultimately formed by the method of the present invention) maytake any shape required for the intended purpose or function of theinflatable article or bladder. For example, when used in footwear, thebladder may be configured to fit within the tongue of the shoe, alongthe medial and lateral sides, around the ankles and under the arch, heelor metatarsal heads. Similarly, the bladder may be designed to fitwithin the shell of a life preserver, chest protector, helmet, gloves orany other inflatable article of manufacture.

Likewise, the described linear and circular elements may be placed inany position to accommodate the function of the bladder and to controlinflation and/or bulging of the bladder, as necessary. In addition, thelinear and/or circular elements need not be linear or circular, but maybe elongated, curved or of any geometry to meet the functionalobjectives of the bladder or the anatomy of the user, where the bladderis to be incorporated into an article of manufacture to be worn by ahuman.

Continuing with the steps of the method of the present invention, aftercreating a screen 24 with a negative image of the desired inflatablebladder design or configuration 20, screen 24 is placed on top of afirst side 40 of first film 42, as shown in FIG. 3. A paint, ink orother media P is then applied to and pulled across screen 24 to transferthe configuration or design of the inflatable bladder onto first side 40of first film 42, as visible area 22. Thus, by transferring the image ofthe inflatable bladder configuration onto the first side of the firstfilm with paint, ink or other media, a barrier material is applied tothe first side of the first film as required by Step 2 of the method ofthe present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates Step 3 of the method. In this step, a first side 44of a second film 46 is positioned over first side 40 of first film 42,such that the barrier material image 48 of the inflatable bladderconfiguration 20 and the barrier material image 50 of the conduit 30 ispositioned between first film 42 and second film 46. In FIG. 4, thebarrier material is visible through second film 46.

In Step 4 of the method of the present invention, first film 42 isadhered to second film 46 so that the films are sealed together to forma sealed peripheral area except where the barrier material has beenapplied to the first film, to form at least one inflatable compartment.Where the barrier material has been applied to the first film, noadherence will occur to create the inflatable compartment of theresulting inflatable article or bladder. In FIG. 4, the sealed area isshown in hatched area 49, while the at least one inflatable compartmentis shown at 52. Upon sealing, circular element 26 and linear elements 28form circular and linear seals or welds 54, 56.

The first and second films may be adhered by a heated platten broughtinto contact with the films or the coextensive films could be fedtogether through heated rollers commonly known in the laminating art,for example. Other known means for sealing or laminating thermoplasticfilms (e.g., ultrasonic welding) could also be employed to achieve theobjects of the present invention. The films could also be madephotosensitive so that they would adhere to one another upon applicationof light.

In Step 5 of the method, and as shown in FIG. 5, a cut is made along theedge of the sealed peripheral area near the inflatable compartment atcut line 58 to form an inflatable article or bladder 60 having at leastone inflatable compartment 52, a circular weld 54, linear welds 56, adeflation/inflation conduit 50 and a peripheral edge 62 (see FIG. 6).This cut can be made by a cutting die configured in accordance with thepre-defined or customized bladder configuration (but slightly larger) orby other suitable cutting means such as laser cutting or water jetcutting.

Inflatable bladder 60 of FIG. 6 may be secured to or within an articleof manufacture, for example, an article of footwear, by securing thebladder to the shoe components along peripheral edge 62 by stitching, anadhesive or other suitable fastening means.

Thus, as described above, the method of the present invention enables aninflatable article or bladder for an inflatable article, to bemanufactured quickly, easily and without the use of expensive article orbladder configuration-specific, metal tooling. Indeed, the method of thepresent invention can be utilized with known silk-screening or printingand laminating techniques to allow for the continuous manufacture ofmultiple-shaped inflatable articles or bladders at relatively low cost.Moreover, and most advantageously, when a bladder configuration changeis required, there is no need to order, machine and replace an expensivepiece of metal tooling in the manufacturing process. Instead, a newscreen/negative image of the newly desired bladder configuration is madeand exchanged for the prior screen/negative image—a simple, quick andinexpensive process, which is also compatible with the down-stream stepsof the manufacturing process (i.e., adhering and cutting).Alternatively, a new screen/negative image could be digitally fed to themanufacturing process.

Returning to a discussion of Step 2 of the method of the presentinvention, the silk-screening technique described above is particularlyadvantageous for the manufacture of inflatable articles or bladders forconsumer products in that silk-screening allows for the use of multiplecolors to create bladders having visually appealing, colorized designsor cosmetics. It is also envisioned that multiple colors could be usedwith appropriately designed screens to transfer an image of a producttrademark, brand or logo onto the films and, thus, the inflatablearticle or bladder.

While the barrier material and application step of the present inventionhas been described above with respect to paint or ink as used with asilk-screening or printing technique, it is envisioned that the barriermaterial may take other forms. For example, the barrier material may bean adhesive-backed paper, fabric or plastic material (such aspolyethylene) applied to the first side of the first film to prevent thefirst and second films from adhering together to form at least oneinflatable chamber.

It is also possible that the barrier material may be “free-floating” andnot attached to either the first or second film. Indeed, the barriermaterial could be a particular type of film (or films) positionedbetween the first and second films that would not bond to the first andsecond films (e.g., the film would release from the first and secondfilms as they cool, following the application of heat). Alternatively,the barrier material may be temporarily applied to one of the first orsecond films.

In another embodiment, the barrier material could be a particulate,soap, surfactant, release coating or spray, or a TEFLON® or siliconecoating, sprayed over an appropriately shaped stencil to transfer thebarrier material, in the desired article or bladder configuration, ontoa first side of the first film to prevent the first and second filmsfrom adhering to each other during the sealing step of the invention.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, and utilizing thesilk-screening or printing technique described above, the barriermaterial could also be an acid or other liquid chemical, which istransferred to a first side of the first film to chemically etch,corrode or abrade the first film, to inhibit attachment of the firstfilm to the second. It is also envisioned that a photosensitive materialcould be transferred to the first film and subsequently exposed to lightto meet the objectives of the barrier material of the invention.

In still another embodiment, the first film could be calendered betweena hot roller and another hot or cold roller to apply or emboss a texture(having the overall desired bladder configuration) on one side of thefirst film to prevent it from adhering to the second film to form aninflatable compartment.

It is also envisioned that the method of present invention is capable ofapplying printing techniques (that is, printing films and rollers) usedby the newspaper or printing industry to transfer a variety ofinflatable article or bladder shapes onto a first film for adhering to asecond film to form an inflatable compartment.

In another aspect of the invention, and with reference to FIG. 7, theabove described embodiments of the invention can be utilized inconjunction with “on-demand” printing technology to create customizedinflatable products. Specifically, the step of applying a barriermaterial to the first film could be accomplished by printing the barriermaterial on the film (possibly using the techniques described above)with a “smart” digital printer 70, which has access to a database 72 ofcustomized information to create unique designs having customizedbladder configurations, customized placement of circular and linearelements, and customized colors.

In practice, a customer of a shoe, for example, might enter into acomputer 74 a specific color or design that the customer wants to appearon the shoe. The design could be indicia such as a name, words, orsymbols or could be a photograph of a person or place. It is alsoenvisioned that an anatomical scan of the customer's foot could beentered (e.g., at a point-of-purchase display) in order to enablecustomized manufacture of an inflatable article or bladder, whichaccommodates the anatomy of the customer's foot to enhance fit,cushioning and support. The entered information would then betransmitted to database 72 to which printer 70 has access. The printerwould then access the database and print the unique design on a firstfilm 76. First film 76 could be configured as a rolled sheet material,which is then joined with a similarly rolled second film 78. First film76 and second film 78 would then be calendered through heated rollers80,82 to adhere the films together and create the inflatable compartmentof the bladder. The bladder would then be cut from the films using themethods described above. Where the bladder is cut from the films using alaser, the laser could also be made “smart” by connecting the laser tothe database to control cutting of the bladder from the films, inaccordance with the customized bladder design printed on the film. Thepresent invention also contemplates that the bladder could be “cut” fromthe films by providing a cutting die with a chemical that corrodes,dissolves or “eats” through the films.

The method of the present invention is not only customizable, but iscontinuous in nature, in that there is no need to interrupt the steps ofthe method to change-out for bladder designs of differingconfigurations, colors or indicia. When the bladder is built into ashoe, the bladder may form an exoskeleton of the shoe as described inU.S. Pat. No. 5,343,638. Because the bladder has a design printed on theinside of the film, the design may be made visible on the outside of theshoe to form a unique customized shoe.

Similarly, the barrier material could take the form of a thermallyreflective material to provide the bladder with insulating properties.The bladder could then be constructed into apparel, for example, to forman insulating shirt, jacket, vest, pant, or other article of apparel.

It is further envisioned that the barrier material could be a printedbackground design (for example, an underwater scene), and that thebladder could be filed with a fluid and ornamental elements (forexample, plastic fish and sparkles), for use in children's wear or otherarticles of manufacture directed to a specific type of consumer.

It is also contemplated that the bladder could be formed from more thantwo films, to create a bladder having multiple layered inflatablecompartments. In this embodiment, specific barrier materials and filmscould be selected so that each layered, inflatable compartment of thebladder has a different inflation quality or characteristic to addressthe objectives of the inflatable article of manufacture.

As noted above, the inflatable bladder formed by the method of thepresent invention also comprises a conduit 50 for coupling with aninflation or deflation valve. While this conduit serves as one means orstructure for joining inflation and deflation fitments to the inflatablearticle or bladder per se, it is also envisioned that fitments known inthe fluid transfer and control art could be attached to the article viaan opening pre-formed in the second film prior to Step 3 of the methodof the invention. It is also envisioned that materials known in the artfor constructing one-way valves and other structure useful in the art ofinflatable technology could be inserted between the first and secondfilms to permit and control the ingress and egress of fluid from theinflatable compartment.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate how a conventional fitment may be constructedinto bladder 60 during the manufacturing process of the presentinvention. FIG. 8A shows the manufacturing process of the presentinvention after completion of Step 3, but before Step 4. As shown inFIG. 8A, a barrier material 80 is positioned between a first film 82 anda second film 84. First film 82 and second film 84 are both providedwith an opening 86,88 suitably positioned for placement of a pump, inletvalve, release valve, or other known fitment for an inflatable bladder.A washer 90 constructed of a film material having properties similar oridentical to second film 84 is positioned over opening 88. A fitment,for example, a digitally operated pump 92 constructed of a materialhaving properties similar or identical to first film 82, is positionedover opening 86. Step 4 of the present invention is then performed toadhere first film 82 to second film 84 in all areas except where barriermaterial 80 has been applied to second film 84, and to adhere washer 90to second film 84 and pump 92 to first film 82. Elements 82 and 84, 90and 84, and 92 and 82 are adhered to one another in the areas noted bydashed lines (where barrier material 80 is absent). After completingStep 4, and as shown in FIG. 8B, the pump is adhered to the first filmand the washer is adhered to the second film in an area of the bladderwhere an inflatable compartment or fluid conduit has been formed. Thus,fluid (illustrated by arrow F) is brought into the bladder, via thepump, to inflate the inflatable chamber defined by the area ofapplication of the barrier material.

While a pump for bringing fluid into the bladder has been illustrated inFIGS. 8A and 8B, it should be noted that other fitments (for example,fluid release valves, fluid inlets, fluid regulators and check valves)may be attached to the films using the same technique. Further, itshould be understood by those skilled in the art that other knowntechniques for securing fitments to inflatable bladders may be used withthe method of the present invention.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fullyreveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applyingthe knowledge within the skill of the relevant art (including thecontents of the references cited herein), readily modify and/or adaptfor various applications such specific embodiments, without undueexperimentation, without departing from the general concept and spiritof the present invention. Therefore, such adaptations and modificationsare intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of thedisclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presentedherein. For example, the invention has been described in the context ofa fluid-impervious film. Naturally, the characteristics of the film maybe modified as a function of the fluid to be used in the bladder. If,for example, the bladder is intended to be used to contain a liquid or alarge molecular-weight gas, the bladder may allow diffusion or reversediffusion into and out of the bag without diverging from the spirit ofthe invention. Similarly, the bladder may be purposefully made porous toallow fluid to diffuse or escape from the bladder when a predeterminedinternal pressure is reached. This may be done by adding perforations tothe film or by using films with known diffusion rates.

It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology used hereinis for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that theterminology or phraseology of the present specification is to beinterpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings andguidance presented herein, in combination with the knowledge of one ofordinary skill in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for manufacturing a plurality ofinflatable bladders for inflatable articles of footwear, comprising thesteps of: (a) providing a first film; (b) forming a screen, template, orstencil of a negative image of a plurality of bladder configurations;(c) applying a barrier material to a first side of at least said firstfilm in said plurality of bladder configurations using said screen,template, or stencil; (d) providing a second film with said first film,such that said barrier material is disposed between said first film andsaid second film; (e) coupling inflation and deflation devices to atleast one of said first or second film at openings provided in the film;(f) adhering said first film to said second film to form sealedperipheral areas, except in areas where said barrier material has beenapplied to said first film, to form inflatable compartmentscorresponding in overall shape to said bladder configurations, and suchthat each one of said inflatable compartments has its own inflation anddeflation device; (g) cutting along said sealed peripheral areas to forma plurality of bladders, each of said bladders having an inflatablecompartment, a sealed peripheral edge, and an inflation and deflationdevice located within the sealed peripheral edge in fluid communicationwith the inflatable compartment to allow for inflation and deflation ofthe inflatable compartment; and (h) incorporating said bladders intofootwear to form the inflatable articles of footwear.
 2. A method formanufacturing a plurality of inflatable bladders, comprising the stepsof: (a) providing a first film having a first side and a second side;(b) forming a screen, template, or stencil of a negative image of aplurality of bladder configurations; (c) applying a barrier material tosaid first side of at least said first film in said plurality of bladderconfigurations using said screen, template, or stencil; (d) providing asecond film with said first side of said first film, such that saidbarrier material is disposed between said first film and said secondfilm; (e) coupling inflation and deflation devices to at least one ofsaid first or second film at openings provided in the film; (f) adheringsaid first film to said second film to form sealed peripheral areas,except in areas where said barrier material has been applied to saidfirst side of said first film, to form inflatable compartmentscorresponding in overall shape to said bladder configurations, and suchthat each one of said inflatable compartments has its own inflation anddeflation device; and (g) cutting along said sealed peripheral areas toform a plurality of bladders, each of said bladders having an inflatablecompartment, a sealed peripheral edge, and an inflation and deflationdevice located within the sealed peripheral edge in fluid communicationwith the inflatable compartment to allow for inflation and deflation ofthe inflatable compartment.
 3. A method for manufacturing a plurality ofinflatable bladders, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first filmhaving a first side and a second side; (b) applying a barrier materialto the first and second sides of the first film in a plurality ofbladder configurations; (c) positioning the first film between a secondfilm and a third film; (d) coupling inflation and deflation devices toat least one of said second or third film at openings provided in thefilm; (e) adhering the first, second, and third films to form sealedperipheral areas, except in the areas where the barrier material hasbeen applied to the first and second sides of the first film, to forminflatable compartments corresponding in overall shape to said bladderconfigurations, such that each one of said inflatable compartments hasits own inflation and deflation device; and (f) cutting along saidsealed peripheral areas to form a plurality of inflatable bladders, eachof said bladders having an inflatable compartment and a sealedperipheral edge, and an inflation and device located within the sealedperipheral edge in fluid communication with the inflatable compartmentto allow for inflation and deflation of the inflatable compartment.